Apparatus for orienting tapered bobbins

ABSTRACT

Random-oriented conical bobbins, having a wide end and a narrow end are, one-by-one, positioned over the opening of a discharge chute. A pusher, when moved transversally towards a positioned bobbin, gradually displaces the latter axially in the direction of its narrow end, so that the bobbin falls into said chute wide end first. The displacement of each bobbin is effected by that one of two working edges forming part of said pusher and disposed obliquely with respect to the bobbin length which is adjacent said wide end.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority Gunter Schulz Ebershach;

Gerhard Haussmann, Ebersbach-Sulpach, both of Germany June 12, 1970Sept. 28, 1971 Zinser-Textilmaschinen Gesellschait mit beschrankterHaftung Ebersbach, Germany June 12, 1969 Germany APPARATUS FOR ORIENTINGTAPERED BOBBINS 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 193/43 B, 198/33 AD, 221/157 Int. Cl B65g 11/20 [50] Field ofSearch 43 13,43 D; 198/33 AD; 221/157, 171

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,456,770 7/1969 Walk 3,489,262

1] l 970 Roberts FOREIGN PATENTS 906,400 3/1954 Germany PrimaryExaminer-Andres H. Nielsen Attorney-Edwin E. Greigg ABSTRACT:Random-oriented conical bobbins, having a wide end and a narrow end are,one-by-one, positioned over the opening of a discharge chute. A pusher,when moved transversally towards a positioned bobbin, graduallydisplaces the latter axially in the direction of its narrow end, so thatthe bobbin falls into said chute wide end first. The displacement ofeach bobbin is effected by that one of two working edges forming part ofsaid pusher and disposed obliquely with respect to the bobbin lengthwhich is adjacent said wide end.

APPARATUS FOR ORIENTING TAPERED ROBBINS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Itis generally a requirement to supply spinning and twisting machines, orthe like, with empty, conical bobbins in such a manner that they areuniformly oriented, i.e., like ends point in the same direction.

To provide a uniform orientation of tapered or conical bob? bins,orienting devices are used, to which the bobbins are delivered in arandom oriented condition.

An apparatus of the aforenoted type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. to Walk,No. 3,456,770, issued July 22, 1969. The apparatus described thereinincludes a discharge chute having an inlet opening which is shorter, butwider than the bobbins to be oriented. A bobbin, supplied through a feedchute, is positioned over said inlet opening in lengthwise alignmenttherewith. Adjacent each end of the inlet opening there are providedpivotable bars, both move simultaneously towards the bobbin restingabove the inlet opening of the discharge chute. The two bars, formingpart of the bobbin-ejecting mechanism, are so-positioned that duringtheir pivotal motion, only the bar adjacent the wide end of the bobbincollides with the latter, pushing it lengthwise, until the wide end ofthe bobbin is over the outlet opening. Thereafter, the bobbin drops,wide end first, through said inlet opening into the discharge chute.Thus, the bobbins leave the discharge chute in a uniformly orientedmanner.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention toprovide an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,456,770 to ensure by simple means an operationally safe driving means,a noiseless operation and a particularly protective handling of thebobbins.

Briefly stated, according to the invention, the ejecting mechanism ofthe orienting apparatus includes two contour elements having workingedges movable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bobbinto be oriented. The contour elementseach of which is associated with oneend of the bobbin to be oriented-move preferably as a rigid unit along apath of travel so designed that only that working edge will contact thebobbin which is adjacent the wide end thereof. The working edge which iscontact with the wide end of the bobbin displaces the latter axiallyandcauses it to fall, wide end first, into the discharge chute. Theworking edges, which may be straight or curved, are so designed thatdespite a rapid transverse motion of the contour elements, they engageand displace the bobbins gently so that a highly protective handlingthereof by the ejecting mechanism is ensured.

' The invention will be better understood and further objects, as wellas advantages of the invention will become more apparent from theensuing detailed specification of a preferred, although exemplaryembodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a sectional front elevationalview of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational sectional view of the preferredembodiment and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one component of thepreferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the figures, theorienting apparatus shown therein includes a feed chute 200 fordelivering the bobbins 201 to be oriented, an orienting number chamber202 adjoining the outlet of chute 200 and a downwardly conicallytapering discharge chute 203 for receiving the oriented bobbins.

As shown in FIG. 1, under the discharge chute 203 there is a disposedconveyor belt 204 of an automatic bobbin-changing device (not shown) forreplacing the bobbins on a spinning machine or the like. To the conveyorbelt 204 there are affixed spaced pins 205, each of which receives,while in temporary alignment with the outlet spout 206, an orientedbobbin 201 as the latter leaves, wide end first, the discharge chute203. The motion of the conveyor belt 204 may be synchronized with theoperation of the orienting apparatus as disclosed in the aforenoted US.Pat. No. 3,456,770;

The cross section of the feed chute 200 is so designed that the bobbins201 to be oriented are superimposed therein in an axially parallel,random-oriented manner. The bobbins may be introduced into the feedchute 200 through a hopper (not shown) or the like by means ofgravitational forces.

The height of the orienting chamber 202 is slightly greater than thediameter of the wide end 207 of each bobbin. In the example described,the bobbins are conical configuration and used in spinning, twisting orwinding machines. It is to be understood, however, that the invention isnot limited to orienting conical bobbins but may find application incase of slender articles, each having ends of different sizes measuredtransversally with respect to the length dimension of the article.

The orienting of each bobbin 201 in the orienting chamber 202 and thedischarge of each bobbin is an oriented condition through dischargechute 203 is effected by different elements of a pusher generallyindicated at 210.

To the pusher 210 there is affixed a push rod 212 guided by yoke 211secured to the. housing 234 of the apparatus. A precompressed coilspring 213 surrounds the push rod 212 and engages, with one end, acollar 212a affixed to the push rod 212 and engages, with the other end,a spring seat 214 secured to the housing 234. The spring 213 urges thepusher 210 into a withdrawn position, which it assumes in itsinoperative position, as shown in FIG. 2.

To the terminus of the push rod 212, remote from the pusher 210, thereis affixed, in alignment with push rod 212, a bar 215 fonned of anonmagnetizable front portion 216 and'a soft magnetic rear portion 216'.The bar 215 passes through the inner space of the solenoid 219 which maybe energized by electric current supplied to terminals 220. When thesolenoid 219 is in an energized condition, the magnetic field generatedexerts a force on the bar portion 216', overcoming the force of spring213. As a result, the push rod 212 and-the pusher 210 are displaced inthe direction of the arrow 221. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 219,the spring 213 mores the pusher. 210 into its position of rest shown inFIG. 2.

The pusher 210 includes a lifting or separating element 222, two contourelements 223 and a locking element 224 provided with a discharge window225. As particularly well seen in FIG. 3, these elements have a flatconfiguration and are arranged horizontally parallel to one another insuch a manner that the path of travel of the locking element 224 extendsimmediately above the inlet opening 225' of the discharge chute 203 andthe path of travel of the separating element 222 extends immediatelyunder the outlet opening 226 of the feed chute 200. The path of travelof the two contour elements 223 is situated at identical heights andtheir distance from the travelling path of the locking element 224 issmaller than the wide end 207, but larger than the narrow end 209 of thebobbins to be oriented. Thus, as will be described later, when a randomoriented bobbin 201 lies on the locking element 224, only that workingedge 245 will engage the bobbin that is adjacent the wide end 207. Aftersuch engagement with base 231 of the bobbin 201, the pusher 210, byvirtue of the contacting inclined working edge 245, displaces the bobbinlengthwise in the direction of arrow 232. During the course of thelastnamed displacement, the narrow end 209 of the bobbin may freely passunder the adjacent working edge 245.

In the embodiment described, the working edge 245 of the contourelements 223 are straight and so-arranged that they are divergent in thedirection of the forward motion of the pusher 210 and symmetrical withrespect to a vertical plane disposed parallel to said direction. Theworking edges 245 are inclined with respect to one another at an angleof between 45 and 70 preferably between approximately 50 and 60 Also, inthis embodiment, the travelling path of the contour elements 223 issubstantially horizontal. It is, however, within the scope of theinvention to move said contour elements in a path which is inclined tothe horizontal (including a vertical direction).

Transversally to the direction of motion of the pusher 210, thereextends through the orienting chamber 202 a stationary horizontal web233 which at both ends is affixed to the housing 234 of the orientingapparatus and which is disposed approximately at mid-distance betweenthe locking element 224 and the separating element 222. The purpose ofweb 233 is to prevent a slippage of the bobbin, resting on the lockingelement 224, from its position shown in FIG. 3 in the direction of theback wall 237 of the pusher 210.

In the frontal wall 235 of the housing 234 there are provided spacedopenings 236 for accommodating the leading end portions of the contourelements 223 and the locking element 224 so that, as indicted withdash-dot lines in FIG. 3, during the forward position of the pusher 210,these elements may assume a position in which their free ends protrudebeyond the front wall 235 of the housing 234.

The locking element 224 has a planar locking face 240 and a dischargewindow 225 disposed between the locking face 240 and the rear wall 237of the pusher 210. The striplike parts 242 of the locking element 240,which extend adjacent either side of the discharge window 225 up to theleading edge 241 of the locking element, constitute, in accordance withthe invention, support faces for the wide and narrow ends of the bobbinto be oriented.

The width of the discharge window 225 measured in the direction ofmotion of the pusher 210 is greater than the I diameter of the widebobbin end 207, whereas the length of the discharge window 225 is lessthan the length of the bobbin.

In the position of the rest of the pusher 210, the locking face 240 ofthe locking element 224 blocks the inlet opening 225' of the dischargechute 203, so that in this position of the pusher, the bobbin to beoriented may under no circumstances (even if in an incorrect position)drop into the discharge chute 203. On the other hand, in the position ofthe pusher 210 indicated in dash-dot lines in FIG. 3, the dischargewindow 225 of the locking element 224 registers with the inlet opening225' of the discharge chute 203, so that the bobbin may drop thereinto,as it will be described hereinafter.

The separating element 222, forming the part of the pusher 210 isconstituted by a rectangular horizontal plate and has the function tolift that bobbin which rests on the lowermost bobbin to be oriented andwhich is partially still in the feed chute 200. Such a lifting operationis effected prior to the displacement of the lowermost bobbin of acontour element 223.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As the pusher 210 is uponterminating an orienting and separating step, returned into its positionshown in FIG. 3, the bobbins 201 stacked in the supply chute 200 falldownwardly until the lowermost bobbin comes to test on the locking face240 of the locking element 224. When the electromagnetic device 216' 219is energized, the pusher 210 moves in the direction of the arrow 221.During such a movement, first the separating element 222 is insertedbetween the two lowermost bobbins, so that the upper bobbin is slightlylifted and comes to rest on the upper face of the separating element222. In this manner, the lowermost bobbin to be oriented is freed. Inthe case the bobbin to be oriented has fallen onto the locking face 240in such a manner that the bobbin with its narrow end 209 does not engageproperly a supporting face 242, but would immediately fall into thedischarge chute 203 upon opening the latter, the working edge 245adjacent the wide bobbin end 207 displaces the bobbin 201, so that thenarrow bobbin end 209 shifts into its proper position before thedischarge window 225 registers with the inlet opening 225' of thedischarge chute 203. On the other hand, if the narrow bobbin end 209 wasinitially correctly positioned, then the working edge 245 adjacent thewide bobbin end 207 contacts the base 231 of the bobbin 201 only after afurther advance of the pusher 210. Thus, in this stage of the orientingoperation, the bobbin to be oriented lies above the opening 225' on thelocking face 240,

the narrow and wide ends 209 and 207, respectively, extending into thesurface portions 242.

As the pusher 210 further advances, that working edge 245 which isadjacent to the wide bobbin end 207, displaces the bobbin, narrow endfirst, in its longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow 232. Thenarrow bobbin end 209 passes under the adjacent working edge 245,clearing the same. At the same time, there is a relative lateral shiftbetween the bobbin 201 and the pusher 210 as the locking face 240gradually emerges from the rear wall 235 of the housing 234 throughopening 236. As the discharge window 225 arrives into registry with theinlet opening 225' of the discharge chute 203, the bobbin is momentarilyso disposed that it is supported only at its narrow end 209, while asubstantial part thereof, including its wide end 207, hangs over thewindow 225 which is in alignment with the opening 225' of the dischargechute 203. From this position the bobbin 201 necessarily tumbles, wideend first, into the discharge chute, as indicated in dash-dot lines inFIG. 1.

It is noted that by virtue of the particularly arranged working edges245 of the contour elements 223, the contact between a working edge 245and the base 231 of bobbins 201 and their subsequent lengthwisedisplacement occur in a rapid and relatively gentle manner, thusproviding for a highly protective handling of the bobbins.

The pusher 210 is advanced until it abuts a stop, not shown, andthereafter, upon deenergization of the solenoid 219, returns into itsposition of rest under the effect of spring 213, terminating one cycleof operation. This cyclical operation may be repetitively performed in afully automatic manner.

It is to be understood that the orienting apparatus described may bemodified in many ways without departing from the scope to the invention.Thus, for example, in case there is no danger of a premature dischargeof the bobbins through chute 203, the locking element 224 may be omittedwithout disadvantage. In such a case the base portions of the orientingchamber 202 at either side of the inlet opening 225 of the dischargechute 203 may serve as supporting faces for the bobbin ends 207 and 209.

Or, the locking element may be designed and arranged in such a mannerthat its path of travel passes between the support faces disposedlaterally adjacent the inlet opening 225' of the discharge chute 203. Insuch a case the locking element serves only to block and open thedischarge opening does not contain a discharge window.

Also, the contour elements instead of forming a rigid unit with thepusher, may be so designed that they may be caused to move independentlyfrom one another.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for orienting bobbins, or the like having a wide anda narrow end, said apparatus being of the type that includes dischargemeans having a longitudinal inlet opening, feed means to individuallysupply and position randomoriented bobbins over said inlet opening insaid lengthwise alignment therewith and ejecting means to longitudinallydisplace each bobbin in the direction of its narrow end, causing it totumble, wide end first, through said inlet opening into said dischargemeans, the improvement comprising, at least two contour elements formingpart of said ejecting means, at least one of said contour elementsdisposed beyond and adjacent each end of said inlet opening, each saidcontour element movable in a path of travel towards and away from saidinlet opening transversally to the length dimension of the latter, eachsaid contour element including an integral working edge so positionedthat upon displacement of the contour element towards said inletopening, said working edge advances towards said inlet opening parallelwith the length dimension of the latter, said path of travel of saidcontour elements being so situated that upon displacement of the contourelements solely the working edge adjacent the wide end of therandomoriented bobbin contacts the latter to displace it longitudinallyin the direction ofi'ts narrow end.

2. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said contour elementsare rigidly connected and are movable as a unit.

3. An improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said contour elementsare integral with a pusher movable linearly towards and away from saidinlet opening transversally to the length dimension of the latter.

4. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein each working edge islinear.

5. An improvement as defined in claim 1, including two support facesbeyond and adjacent each end of said outlet opening to engage the wideend and narrow end of a random-positioned bobbin.

6. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the working edges ofthe contour elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to acentral plane extending parallel to the direction of their displacementand normal to their path of travel.

7. An improvement as defined in claim 1, including a movable lockingelement for opening and closing said outlet opening; said lockingelement maintains said outlet opening closed while said contour elementsare in position of rest remote from said outlet opening and during aninitial displacement of said contour elements towards said outletopening until an originally incorrectly positioned bobbin islongitudinally shifted by the working edge cooperating with the wide endof the last-named bobbin into correct position in which the narrowbobbin end engages a support face adjacent and beyond an end of saidoutlet opening.

8. An improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said contour elementsand said locking element form a rigid unit.

9. An improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said locking elementincludes a discharge window movable under the random-positioned bobbininto alignment with said inlet opening.

1. In an apparatus for orienting bobbins, or the like, having a wide anda narrow end, said apparatus being of the type that includes dischargemeans having a longitudinal inlet opening, feed means to individuallysupply and position random-oriented bobbins over said inlet opening inlengthwise alignment therewith and ejecting means to longitudinallydisplace each bobbin in the direction of its narrow end, causing it totumble, wide end first, through said inlet opening into said dischargemeans, the improvement comprising, at least two contour elements formingpart of said ejecting means, at least one of said contour elementsdisposed beyond and adjacent each end of said inlet opening, each saidcontour element movable in a path of travel towards and away from saidinlet opening transversally to the length dimension of the latter, eachsaid contour element including an integral working edge so positionedthat upon displacement of the contour element towards said inletopening, said working edge advances towards said inlet opening parallelwith the length dimension of the latter, said path of travel of saidcontour elements being so situated that upon displacement of the contourelements solely the working edge adjacent the wide end of therandom-oriented bobbin contacts the latter to displace it longitudinallyin the direction of its narrow end.
 2. An improvement as defined inclaim 1, wherein said contour elements are rigidly connected and aremovable as a unit.
 3. An improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein saidcontour elements are integral with a pusher movable linearly towards andaway from said inlet opening transversally to the length dimension ofthe latter.
 4. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein eachworking edge is linear.
 5. An improvement as defined in claim 1,including two support faces beyond and adjacent each end of said outletopening to engage the wide end and narrow end of a random-positionedbobbin.
 6. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the workingedges of the contour elements are arranged symmetrically with respect toa central plane extending parallel to the direction of theirdisplacement and normal to their path of travel.
 7. An improvement asdefined in claim 1, including a movable locking element for opening andclosing said outlet opening; said locking element maintains said outletopening closed while said contour elements are in a position of restremote from said outlet opening and during an initial displacement ofsaid contour elements towards said outlet opening until an originallyincorrectly positioned bobbin is longitudinally shifted by the workingedge cooperating with the wide end of the last-named bobbin into correctposition in which the narrow bobbin end engages a support face adjacentand beyond an end of said outlet opening.
 8. An improvement as definedin claim 7, wherein said contour elements and said locking element forma rigid unit.
 9. An improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein saidlocking element includes a discharge window movable under therandom-positioned bobbin into alignment with said inlet opening.